At a glance
Zama Sunflower Field (座間ひまわり畑) is a free garden and tourist attraction in Zama, Kanagawa, featuring sprawling fields with hundreds of thousands of sunflowers that bloom across multiple areas during summer. The site hosts an annual Sunflower Festival in mid-August with observation decks, food stalls, and cut flower sales, creating photogenic landscapes against the backdrop of the Tanzawa Mountains.
Photographs
Zama Sunflower Field
The Zama Sunflower Field transforms into a spectacular golden landscape each summer with approximately 550,000 sunflowers blooming across around 5.5 hectares of fertile land near the Sagami River. This seasonal attraction showcases the city’s official flower through multiple scattered fields, each featuring different varieties that create varying heights and bloom times throughout the season. The fields are divided into two main areas, Zama and Yotsuya, offering visitors expansive views of sunflowers against the backdrop of the distant Tanzawa Mountains.
The annual Zama Sunflower Festival, held only for several days in early to mid-August, features an observation deck providing panoramic views of the flower fields, along with food stalls, agricultural product sales, and unique experiences like sweetfish catching. Photo opportunities abound with Instagram-worthy installations including decorative doors, benches, and swing sets positioned throughout the fields. Visitors can purchase cut sunflowers during the festival period, allowing them to take home fresh blooms when available. The free admission and accessible location make this a popular family-friendly destination, though arriving early during festival days or visiting on weekdays helps avoid significant parking congestion.
Seasonal and Event Highlights
- Summer: Late July to mid-August brings peak sunflower blooms, with around 550,000 flowers covering approximately 5.5 hectares.
- Event: The annual Zama Sunflower Festival takes place over several days in early to mid-August, featuring observation decks, photo spots, local food stalls, agricultural markets, sunflower sales, and family activities.
Before you go
Admission to the Zama Sunflower Field and Sunflower Festival is free. The fields are open-air agricultural land, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially after rain when paths can become muddy. Temporary toilets, food stalls, and observation platforms are available during the festival period, but facilities are limited outside festival dates. Photography is encouraged, and tripods are generally permitted for personal use provided they do not obstruct pathways or other visitors. Bringing sun protection, water, and insect repellent is highly recommended due to the intense summer heat.
The sunflower fields are accessible throughout the blooming season, typically from late July through mid-August. The annual Sunflower Festival is generally held for several days in early to mid-August, with festival activities operating approximately from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
When to go
The sunflower fields bloom spectacularly from late July through mid-August, with the annual Sunflower Festival typically held around August 11th (Mountain Day). Peak blooming coincides with the festival period, when 550,000 sunflowers create a stunning yellow landscape against the backdrop of the Tanzawa Mountains. Early morning visits between 5AM and 7AM offer cooler temperatures, beautiful morning light for photography, and minimal crowds. Weekday mornings are significantly quieter than weekends, though the heat during midday hours makes extended visits challenging regardless of the day. The busiest periods occur during the festival weekend and on Sundays and Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM, when parking lots experience long queues and the fields become crowded with photographers and families. Visitors report waiting over 40 minutes just to enter parking areas during peak festival times. The most peaceful visiting times are weekday mornings from 4AM to 8AM, particularly on Thursdays and Wednesdays, when you can enjoy the sunflower fields with minimal crowds and have the space to yourself for photography.
Average crowd levels throughout the day, based on historical data.
Public review summary
Visitors praise the stunning sea of sunflowers that bloom across sprawling fields during peak season in early to mid-August. Many appreciate the free admission, photo spots with doors and benches, and affordable cut flower sales. However, experiences vary depending on timing, as flowers can wilt quickly after the festival. Parking congestion and limited facilities during peak times draw criticism, though weekday morning visits offer smoother experiences with fewer crowds and easier access.
What you'll find here
Location & access
- DirectionsAddress
Shindenjuku, Zama, Kanagawa 252-0026, Japan
- How to get there
By Public Transportation:
The easiest access during the annual Sunflower Festival is via the temporary direct bus from Odakyu Line Sobudaimae Station, which operates every 15 to 20 minutes during festival days. Alternatively, visitors can take a local bus from Odakyu Zama Station toward Zama Yotsuya and walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes from the “Himawaribatake Iriguchi” bus stop.
By Car:
The sunflower fields are located near the Sagami River and can be reached in around 20 to 30 minutes from the Ken-O Expressway’s Ebina Interchange. Temporary parking areas are typically provided during the festival period, but traffic congestion can be significant, especially on weekends and public holidays. Arriving early in the morning is strongly recommended.
Common questions
What is the best time to see the sunflowers at Zama Sunflower Field?
The sunflowers at Zama Sunflower Field typically bloom only from early to mid-August. The annual Sunflower Festival, usually held around August 11th (Mountain Day), marks the peak blooming period. It's recommended to check the official website before visiting, as different areas of the field may have slightly different blooming schedules.
Is there parking available at Zama Sunflower Field?
Yes, on-site paid parking is available at Zama Sunflower Field. During the Sunflower Festival, a temporary parking lot is set up near the Sagami River with a 500 yen donation fee. Outside festival dates, parking may be available along the riverbank. Due to heavy traffic during peak times, arriving early or using public transportation is recommended.
Can I pick and take home sunflowers from the field?
Yes, you can purchase cut sunflowers at Zama Sunflower Field. Fresh sunflowers are typically sold for 200 yen for three flowers. There are self-service flower cutting stations where you can select and purchase the sunflowers you'd like to take home. This is available during the blooming season.
How long does it take to visit Zama Sunflower Field?
Most visitors spend approximately 1 hour exploring Zama Sunflower Field. This allows enough time to walk through the different areas, take photos at various photo spots including doors and benches, and enjoy the scenic views of the sunflowers with the Tanzawa Mountains in the background. The field is quite extensive, so plan accordingly for the summer heat.
Are there facilities like restrooms and food stalls at Zama Sunflower Field?
During the Sunflower Festival, temporary toilets, food stalls, an observation deck, and various events are available. Outside the festival period, facilities are limited, with no permanent restrooms on site. The festival typically includes agricultural product sales, food vendors, and special activities, but these are only available during the official festival days.
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